“PM Modi is not happy with me”: Donald Trump on high tariffs imposed on India over Russian oil purchases

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday acknowledged that while he shares a cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods has caused friction between the two leaders, particularly over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump said Prime Minister Modi was displeased with the tariff measures, which were imposed after India significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“I have a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, but he is not happy with me because India is paying high tariffs. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia,” Trump said.

The US has imposed tariffs totalling up to 50 per cent on certain Indian goods, linking the move to India’s energy trade with Russia, which Washington views as indirectly supporting Moscow’s economy during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump warned that the US could further raise tariffs if India does not address American concerns over Russian oil imports. He claimed that New Delhi was aware of his dissatisfaction and had taken steps to maintain stable trade relations.

“They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump said, while defending the tariff policy as financially beneficial for the United States.

The remarks came amid repeated US pressure on India to reduce its dependence on Russian crude. Trump has accused India of strengthening Russia by purchasing discounted oil and has used tariff threats as leverage to influence New Delhi’s position.

At the same time, Trump reiterated his interest in playing a mediating role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying he has held discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though without any concrete outcome so far.

India has previously rejected Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Modi had assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil, clarifying that no such assurance or conversation had taken place.

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